How To Add a Cord and Clasp to a Pendant

arinfinite (53)in #diy • 7 years ago

So, let's say you have a pendant and nothing to hang it on so you can wear it. Or, let's say you have a broken necklace that really just needs the cord or clasp to be replaced. Well, don't let that pendant go to waste! It is actually pretty easy to make your own necklace cord and clasp.

All you need is:

3 inches of 14 or 16 gauge wire
3 inches of 22, 24, or 26 gauge wire
something to use as a necklace cord
needle nose pliers

It's simple, pick a cord

You can use pretty much anything you want for your cord (hemp, leather, cotton cord, rattail, some old string). I actually will take leather that I skinned off of an old couch and cut it into strips and use that. So just grab what you want and cut it to the length that you need.

Tip: Cut it about an inch longer than you want the finished necklace to be. That way you have enough to make your ends with.

Pick your metal

Next, you need to pick what metal you would like to use to make your clasp. I recommend using a metal that matches the pendant. I also recommend you use a metal that you know the components of such as sterling silver or copper. This helps you ensure quality and also helps you avoid aggravating metal allergies if you or the recipient have any.

If you don't have access to a good metal, go ahead and pick up some craft wire from the craft store.

In my example, I used 1/2 Round 14 Gauge Copper. I like half round wire, but I use round wire just as often. You just need it to be a thick enough gauge so that it will hold its shape. You can also use 16 gauge, but don't use anything thinner than that. And anything thicker than 14 gauge will be difficult to work with and bulky.

You will also need 2 pieces of a thinner wire to secure your clasp. The size does not matter much, but thinner is easier to work with. You may go as thin at 26 gauge. Cut the pieces to about an inch each

Make the clasp

Cut a piece of the thicker wire, roughly 2 inches long. Use your pliers to shape the metal into an S-hook shape, using the pictures below to guide you.

Now, cut another piece of thicker wire roughly 1 inch long. Use your pliers to shape it into a figure-8 shape, as in the far right picture.

Attach the cord to the clasps

Now that your clasp is done, put your pendant on your cord. Then take one end of the cord and feed it through the hole at the bottom of your S-hook. Next, you take your thin wire and wrap it around the folded cord to secure the S-hook to the cord.

Repeat this process with the other end of the cord and the figure-8 side of the clasp.

You're done!

Enjoy. Thanks for reading. :) Also, exciting announcement, I am very shortly going to be accepting Bitcoin on my Etsy page, and I'll be working on accepting Steem as well!